About 2,000 teens and young adults from Tristate churches gathered Saturday morning with just one focus: prayer.

About 2,000 teens and young adults encircled Paul Brown Stadium Saturday morning to pray for their families, communities and the success of the Graham mission. (Tony Jones photos) | ZOOM |

        The middle school through college-age students, holding hands and forming a chain that completely circled Paul Brown Stadium, prayed for their families, their communities and the success of the upcoming Billy Graham Mission, June 27-30.

        The Surround the Stadium student prayer event was a way to get young people spiritually prepared for the mission.

Sharon George, 49, of Florence, Ky., joined 2,000 teens and young adults praying Saturday. | ZOOM |

        “We wanted the kids to come down and discover there's real power in praying together as a city,” said Butch Pylant, the mission's coordinator of student ministries. “They're going to be able to see that this thing is bigger than their individual youth groups.”

        The students started the morning with worship led by a band from Vineyard Community Church in Springdale. Afterward the teens formed a link that stretched around the entire stadium.

        For nearly an hour the teens prayed silentlyand in small groups. A guide suggested how much time groups should pray for items such as strength to invite others to the mission. “I'm praying that more teens come to know Christ,” said 14-year-old Liz Hatter of River of Life Worship Center in Ludlow, Ky.

SPECIAL SECTION

• THE MAN, HIS MISSION

        Mike Taylor, a Sunday school teacher at Fairfield Wesleyan Church, helped lead seven youth group members once they were done praying individually. The group of students, grades 6 through 12, formed a small circle on a ramp leading to the stadium to pray. “The main thing was for souls to be saved at the Billy Graham event,” Mr. Taylor said.

        Following the event, most of the youth groups participated in the Biggest Softdrink Giveaway Ever. Some 300,000 cans were distributed for free.

        For many, including the teens from Florence United Methodist, Saturday's events are just the beginning of their evangelism.

        “We're hoping for a great spiritual refilling with this weekend,” said Chris Drennen, 17, of Florence.
       

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